The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-12
SOUTH CAROLINA LEGISLATURE.
The High Country Gettinr the Best of
the Low Country,

COLUMBIA, Dec. 1.-THE week Just
closed has witnessed Waterloo for the low
country interests of South Carolina. From
time immemorial there has always pre-
vailed among certain class of people in
upper Carolina an intense and very bitter
feeling against their fellow-citizenS of the
coast country, and especially against
Charleston. Ever since 1876 this element
has been increasing in strength in the
General Assembly, and the sentiment has
found expression in various ways. The
great cause of complaint is the very natural
influence exercised by Charleston in the
General Assembly. Some of the more ig-
norant OF the up-country section ascribe it
to the number of Representatives allowed
to Charleston. 1t should be mentioned that
prior to the division of Charleston into two
counties, she had seventeen Representa-
tives and two Senators. After the creation
of Berkeley county, Charleston's representa-
tion was reduced to twelve members, but the
two Senators were retained The present
apportionment was based on the State CEN
sus of 1875. Soon after the Democrats came
in power the cry was raised that Charleston
had too many Representatives, and year
after year efforts were made to get d reap
portionment, but always without success.
To make an enumeration of the inhabitants
would cost from $4,000 to S75, coo. and the
economics" as they are called, while
anxious to stab the metropolis of the State
in its back were unwilling to spend the
money to do it in a constitutional way.
THE Low COUNTRIES LOSE.
So after many defeats they secured the
passage of an amendment to the constitu-
tion, which was adopted by a popular vote,
and by which the Legislature was given the
power ''to dispense with an enumeration,
and to base future apportionments upon
the last preceding United States census.
The bill which passed the House last Friday
makes reapportionment on the basis of
the United States census of 1880. Under it
the low country loses seven Representatives,
of which four are taken from Charleston,
and the upper country gains seven.
1t was said by member during the discus
sion that the up-country Representatives
were wrong in attributing Charlestons in
fueLce in the Legislature to the number of
her Representatives THAT influence" he
said, lis due rather to the character of the
men she sends heren 1t was palpable hit,
but it did not avert the defeat. 1t was also
urged that to take the census of 1880 was to
do an injustice to Charleston, as her popula-
tion had very largely increased since then,
but this consideration also failed. The bill
was carried by a majority of g. which moth
ing could break.
A SECOND BLOW AT THE Low COUNTRY.
The other severe blow to the low country
was in the defeat of the phosphate bill in
the Senate on Wednesday last. The scope
of this bill has already been published in
the columns of the MORNING News. II is
admitted that the phosphate interests are
languishing owing to the over-production,
and that unless some such relief as was pro-
posed by this bill was afforded their would
be trouble, and serious trouble The SEN
ate, after discussing it for one day,
indefinitely postponed the measure by
a vote of II to 49, The bill, however.
is still before the House, and if it can pass
that body the fight may be renewed in the
Senate.
These are about the only two measures
that have been disposed of during the week,
the remainder of the legislative work being
devoted to tinkering at existing laws and
the passage Of county measures.
The news comes from Charleston of a
serious bolt in the Democratic ranks, and
the political situation there looks gloomy
enough. However serious a blow may be
inflicted by the success OF independentism in
the coming election there is consolation in
the fact that the persons who are put up for
office are well known and responsible citi-
zanS